AAU CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS & AAU PRIMARY NATIONALS RECAP
2017-07-18
ORLANDO, Fla (July 18, 2017)- Over the past week, the Amateur Athletic Union hosted its annual Track Championships at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World Resort.
This competition was separated into two events, the AAU Primary Nationals and the AAU Club Championships.
The AAU Primary Nationals gives the opportunity ...
ORLANDO, Fla (July 18, 2017)- Over the past week, the Amateur Athletic Union hosted its annual Track Championships at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World Resort.
This competition was separated into two events, the AAU Primary Nationals and the AAU Club Championships.
The AAU Primary Nationals gives the opportunity for younger athletes ages eight and under to compete against one another in their own national championship.
Coach Will of the Charlotte Heat Track Club said about the event, “AAU Primary Nationals allows the little ones the chance to win a national championship.” Will continued saying, “And that’s the biggest thing, giving them the opportunity to do something they wouldn’t normally be able to do.”
Every year these events bring exceptional competition from around the world. Zephaniah, who ran at AAU Club Championships, had this to say about the level of competition that it brings, “It’s not easy when you get down here, everybody is good.”
This year there were 62 Club Records broken, almost double from last year’s 36.
Olympian and current track coach at the University of South Florida Jason Rouser who was in attendance said, “Bringing them up and watching them achieve the goals they wanted to achieve at AAU Club Championships was a great honor for me.”
The AAU was also fortunate enough to have other former Olympic Runners in attendance at these events. These Olympians presented awards, signed autographs and offered advice to the next generation of athletes.
Mariah was excited to compete at these events held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, “I’m just so glad I got the opportunity to run at this awesome facility. It was such a blessing.”
Ian, who also competed in the AAU Club Championships, said about his experience and AAU as a whole, “You get more exposure through AAU. You get to travel more, see a whole bunch of people and a whole bunch of faces from around the country.”
The AAU Club Championships were the final opportunity for athletes to qualify for the 2017 AAU Junior Olympic Games. Congratulations to all those who placed and will be joining us July 26-August 5 in Detroit, Michigan!